Looking After Your Pooches This Winter

In our hurry to bundle up everyone in the family to ward off the chill of winter, we sometimes forget that our four-legged loved ones need a little extra care as well. Just as the searing summer can cause heat stroke in pets, winter can also bring danger to the furry family members.

Provide warmth.
If your pet spends most of his time in the backyard, you may want to keep him inside the house during the freezing months. Place blankets or rugs over tiled floors and uncarpeted areas, or create a special corner where your pet can snuggle in to stay warm when you’re not home. If it’s not too frigid but the cold chill still has a bite to it, make sure to provide your pet with extra bedding in a dry and warm shelter that’s free from drafts outside. When walking your pet, consider getting him special booties and coats to avoid frostbite. Check your pet’s paws, the tip of his tail, and his ears for warning signs such as blisters and a firm, waxy skin.

Warmth is good, but be sure to protect your pet from burns. Place covers on radiator baseboards, keep portable heaters out of reach, and install screens on fireplaces.

Mind the antifreeze.
Keep your dog away from where your car is parked, as antifreeze may leak from your car’s radiator and collect on the street or garage floor. Dogs may be attracted to the smell and taste of the chemical, but it is extremely dangerous, even fatal.

Groom regularly.
Your dog’s coat is his protection from the cold, so make sure it is well-groomed. If your dog has short or coarse hair, consider getting him a sweater or pet coat. Long-haired dogs may find the extra clothing comfortable as well. You should, however, pay special attention to the excess fur around long-haired dogs’ foot pads and toes. Keep the hair in these areas trimmed so that the paws will be easier to clean, especially if you’re removing snow or mud. If you’re coming in from a walk, dry your dog with a warm towel immediately, and wash and dry his feet as well. The salt that is used for melting sidewalk ice may irritate foot pads, so you have to make sure all of it is removed. You can also put a little petroleum jelly on his paws to prevent cracked pads and cuts.

Give him food.
Pets expend a lot of energy to stay warm during cold weather, so they tend to eat a lot more during the chilly winter months. Make sure you give your pet an adequate supply of food (be careful not to overfeed!) and check his water bowl often to make sure the water hasn’t turned to ice. If it has, replace with fresh water right away.

Now that you and your pooch are ready to face the winter chill, bundle up and snuggle to your hearts’ content!